The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday signed an agreement to start crafting the 30-year Railway Master Plan for the Philippines’ greater capital region.
The project was signed by officials of the DOTr, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank.
Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary, said the 30-year Railway Master Plan to be formulated by the Philippine government with technical cooperation from JICA “would certainly enable us to build more than just a thousand kilometers of rails.”
“This time, our railway personnel will have to adapt to new technologies and modern equipment. No one else can lead this railway renaissance,” Bautista said in his speech after the signing.
“This master plan, for example, will transcend five presidencies, and I am sure that it will contain a blueprint so viable, and a vision so compelling that succeeding administrations will have no choice but to follow it,” said Cesar Chavez, DOTr undersecretary for railways.
The master plan aims to rapidly expand the railway infrastructure network and sustainable urban development, increase rail passenger trips as well as double the average distance of all trips within one hour during peak rush hour by 2055.
The project also intends to enhance the learning and planning capabilities of the DOTr through technology and knowledge transfer from JICA.
It is also expected to strengthen the DOTr’s institutional capacity by increasing the knowledge of the staff in transportation planning, project development and proficiency in industry-leading transportation planning software.
To date, JICA has pledged about 300 million yen or P125.68 million for the project spanning about 36 months, with the target completion expected during the fourth quarter of 2026.
